From reactive to proactive basic palliative hospital care. Evaluation of one-nurse-based telephone follow-up and bedside consultation to advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and informal caregivers: A quasi-experimental study

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisbeth Soelver ◽  
Marianne Krogsgaard
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Gastrointestinal Cancer ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Control Period ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Rationale and aim: Organizational and staff-related barriers need to be overcome in order to integrated early palliative care and develop its supporting infrastructure. We aimed to evaluate the use of a one-nurse-staffed telephone line and bedside consultations on a surgical ward.Method: Advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients and their relatives are offered at diagnosis telephone contact with a nurse with a specialism experience and expertise in the field of palliative care – the contact is lifelong. A proactive holistic approach is taken, including individual needs assessment, guidance, regulation of medication and a tight follow-up. The nurse also acts as a sparring advice partner for colleagues and facilitates complex situations and process. Contacts are described qualitatively in a logbook and the effect on the incidence of hospital admissions and hospital deaths was investigated using a quasi-experimental design with a historical control group. Data were processed using descriptive statistics and Chi-squared (x 2) test.Results: Over 9 month 131 patients and 427 consultations were registred. Outgoing telephone calls to patients, caregivers and professionals (40%). Incoming phone calls (31%) and in-person meeting with patients and families during hospitalization or outpatient visits (29%). Over 15 month intervention and control period the test showed a significant reduction in the short-term admissions of  < 2 days, and a significant reduction in the number of patients who died during hospitalization.Conclusion: The telephone follow-up and bedside consultations by one qualified nurse, is an interface that supports continuity and cooperation and could underpine more effective basic palliative care.

Abstract T MP103: Effect of Follow-up Phone Calls on 30-day Readmission Rates for Stroke Patients

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Intervention Group ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Readmission Rates ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Number Of Patients

Background and Purpose: Patients who are hospitalized for a stroke or TIA go home with a great deal of information about risk factors, medications, diet and exercise, signs and symptoms of stroke and follow-up care. This information may be difficult for the patient or caregiver to understand and can be overwhelming in the face of a new life-changing event. In addition, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will start publicly reporting 30-day readmission rates beginning in 2016. The purpose of this study is to determine if follow-up phone calls with a nurse help to reduce 30 day readmission rates for patients with stroke and TIA. Methods: This study utilized a convenience sample of adult patients who were admitted for ischemic stroke, ICH, SAH or TIA from March 2013 to February 2014. Patients in the intervention group participated in a phone call seven days after discharge to assess their compliance with medications, physician appointments and lifestyle changes. The proportion of readmissions between the groups was compared with Fisher’s exact test. Results: The total number of patients enrolled in the study was 586 and there were no significant differences in demographics between the control and intervention groups. Of the 533 patients in the control group, 54 (10%) of them were readmitted, including 11 patients readmitted for elective surgical procedures. Of the 52 patients in the intervention group, 3 (5.7%) of them were readmitted before the 7-day phone call. Of the 49 patients who participated in the 7-day phone call, none of them were readmitted ( p =0.0098). Conclusions: Patients who participate in a 7-day phone call appear to benefit and are less likely to be readmitted to the hospital. Other strategies may need to be considered for patients who are at higher risk, and thus more likely to be readmitted within seven days of discharge. In addition, some providers may wish to reconsider how they schedule elective procedures for secondary stroke prevention.

scholarly journals Biomarkers-based personalized follow-up in chronic heart failure improves patient’s outcomes and reduces care associate cost

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Leon-Justel ◽  
Jose I. Morgado Garcia-Polavieja ◽  
Ana Isabel Alvarez-Rios ◽  
Francisco Jose Caro Fernandez ◽  
Pedro Agustin Pajaro Merino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Ed Visits ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is a major and growing medical and economic problem, with high prevalence and incidence rates worldwide. Cardiac Biomarker is emerging as a novel tool for improving management of patients with HF with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF). Methods This is a before and after interventional study, that assesses the impact of a personalized follow-up procedure for HF on patient’s outcomes and care associated cost, based on a clinical model of risk stratification and personalized management according to that risk. A total of 192 patients were enrolled and studied before the intervention and again after the intervention. The primary objective was the rate of readmissions, due to a HF. Secondary outcome compared the rate of ED visits and quality of life improvement assessed by the number of patients who had reduced NYHA score. A cost-analysis was also performed on these data. Results Admission rates significantly decreased by 19.8% after the intervention (from 30.2 to 10.4), the total hospital admissions were reduced by 32 (from 78 to 46) and the total length of stay was reduced by 7 days (from 15 to 9 days). The rate of ED visits was reduced by 44% (from 64 to 20). Thirty-one percent of patients had an improved functional class score after the intervention, whereas only 7.8% got worse. The overall cost saving associated with the intervention was € 72,769 per patient (from € 201,189 to € 128,420) and €139,717.65 for the whole group over 1 year. Conclusions A personalized follow-up of HF patients led to important outcome benefits and resulted in cost savings, mainly due to the reduction of patient hospitalization readmissions and a significant reduction of care-associated costs, suggesting that greater attention should be given to this high-risk cohort to minimize the risk of hospitalization readmissions.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Mobile phone use on adherence to Nevirapine prophylaxis and retention in care among the HIV-exposed infants in prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian M. N. Kebaya ◽  
Dalton Wamalwa ◽  
Nyambura Kariuki ◽  
Bashir Admani ◽  
Philip Ayieko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Phone ◽  
Infant Feeding ◽  
Retention In Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Hiv Exposed Infants ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Hiv Exposed ◽  
To Receive

Abstract Background HIV is a major contributor to infant mortality. A significant gap remains between the uptake of infant and maternal antiretroviral regimens and only a minority of HIV-exposed infants receives prophylaxis and safe infant feeding. Losses to follow-up of HIV-exposed infants are associated with shortcomings of facility-based PMTCT models with weak community support of linkages. Use of mobile phones offers an opportunity for improving care and promoting retention assessed by timely attendance of scheduled appointments for the mother-baby pairs and achievement of an HIV-free generation. The objective of this study was to compare self-reported adherence to infant Nevirapine (NVP) prophylaxis and retention in care assessed by timely attendance of scheduled appointments over 10 weeks in HIV exposed infants randomized to 2-weekly mobile phone calls (intervention) versus no phone calls (control). Methods In this open label randomized controlled study, one hundred and fifty HIV infected women drawn from 3 health facilities in Western Kenya and their infants were randomly assigned to receive either phone-based reminders on PMTCT messages or standard health care messages (no calls) within 24 h of delivery. Women in the intervention arm continued to receive fortnightly phone calls. At 6- and 10-weeks following randomization we collected data on infant adherence to Nevirapine, mode of infant feeding, early HIV testing and retention in care in both study arms. All analyses were intention to treat. Results At 6 weeks follow-up, 90.7% (n = 68) of participants receiving phone calls reported adherence to infant NVP prophylaxis, compared with 72% (n = 54) of participants in the control group (p = 0.005). Participants in the intervention arm were also significantly more likely to remain in care than participants in the control group [78.7% (n = 59) vs. 58.7% (n = 44), p = 0.009 at 6 weeks and 69.3% (n = 52) vs. 37.3% (n = 28), p < 0.001 at 10 weeks]. Conclusions These results suggest that phone calls are potentially an important tool to improve adherence to infant NVP prophylaxis and retention in care for HIV-exposed infants. Trial registration PACTR202007654729602. Registered 6 June 2018 - Retrospectively registered, https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/TrialDisplay.aspx?TrialID=3449

scholarly journals Cardiovascular risk factors during cancer treatment: prevalence, incidence and prognostic relevance

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J Caro Codon ◽  
T Lopez-Fernandez ◽  
C Alvarez-Ortega ◽  
P Zamora Aunon ◽  
I Rodriguez Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Cardiovascular Risk ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
All Cause Mortality

Abstract Background The actual usefulness of CV risk factor assessment in the prognostic evaluation of cancer patients treated with cardiotoxic treatment remains largely unknown. Design Prospective multicenter study in patients scheduled to receive anticancer therapy related with moderate/high cardiotoxic risk. Methods A total of 1324 patients underwent follow-up in a dedicated cardio-oncology clinic from April 2012 to October 2017. Special care was given to the identification and control of CV risk factors. Clinical data, blood samples and echocardiographic parameters were prospectively collected according to protocol, at baseline before cancer therapy and then at 3 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 1.5 years and 2 years after initiation of cancer therapy. Results At baseline, 893 patients (67.4%) presented at least 1 risk factor, with a significant number of patients newly diagnosed during follow-up. Individual risk factors were not related with worse prognosis during a 2-year follow-up. However, a higher Systemic Coronary Risk Estimation (SCORE) was significantly associated with higher rates of severe cardiotoxicity and all-cause mortality [HR 1.79 (95% CI 1.16–2.76) for SCORE 5–9 and HR 4.90 (95% CI 2.44–9.82) for SCORE ≥10 when compared with patients with lower SCORE (0–4)]. Conclusions This large cohort of patients treated with a potentially cardiotoxic regimen showed a significant prevalence of CV risk factors at baseline and significant incidence during follow-up. Baseline cardiovascular risk assessment using SCORE predicted severe cardiotoxicity and all-cause mortality. Therefore, its use should be recommended in the evaluation of cancer patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): This study was partially funded by the Fondo Investigaciones Sanitarias (Spain), Centro de Investigaciόn Biomédica en Red Cardiovascular CIBER-CV (Spain)

Walking for Better Outcomes and Recovery: The Effect of WALK-FOR in Preventing Hospital-Associated Functional Decline Among Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (10) ◽  
pp. 1664-1670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaniv Cohen ◽  
Anna Zisberg ◽  
Yehudit Chayat ◽  
Nurit Gur-Yaish ◽  
Efrat Gil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Functional Decline ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Mobility ◽  
Steps Per Day ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Activity Survey

Abstract Background In-hospital immobility of older adults is associated with hospital-associated functional decline (HAFD). This study examined the WALK-FOR program’s effects on HAFD prevention. Methods A quasi-experimental pre-post two-group (intervention group [IG] n = 188, control group [CG] n = 189) design was applied in two hospital internal medical units. On admission, patients reported pre-hospitalization functional status, which was assessed again at discharge and 1-month follow-up. Primary outcome was decline in basic activities of daily living (BADL), using the Modified Barthel Index. Secondary outcomes were decline in instrumental ADL (Lawton’s IADL scale) and community mobility (Yale Physical Activity Survey). All participants (75.1 ± 7 years old) were cognitively intact and ambulatory at admission. The WALK-FOR included a unit-tailored mobility program utilizing patient-and-staff education with a specific mobility goal (900 steps per day), measured by accelerometer. Results Decline in BADL occurred among 33% of the CG versus 23% of the IG (p = .02) at discharge, and among 43% of the CG versus 30% in the IG (p = .01) at 1-month follow-up. Similarly, 26% of the CG versus 15% of the IG declined in community mobility at 1-month follow-up (p = .01). Adjusted for major covariates, the intervention reduced the odds of decline in BADL by 41% (p = .05) at discharge and by 49% at 1-month follow-up (p = .01), and in community mobility by 63% (p = .02). There was no significant effect of the intervention on IADL decline (p = .19). Conclusions The WALK-FOR intervention is effective in reducing HAFD.

scholarly journals Impact of pulmonary rehabilitation on patients’ health care needs and asthma control: a quasi-experimental study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Salandi ◽  
Andrea Icks ◽  
Jalal Gholami ◽  
Stefan Hummel ◽  
Konrad Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Asthma Control ◽  
Pulmonary Rehabilitation ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Health Care Needs ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Asthma Control Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Background Pulmonary rehabilitation offers potential benefits to people with asthma. It is however unknown if rehabilitation favourably affects patients’ health care needs. We therefore examined if rehabilitation reduced needs and, in addition, if it improved asthma control. Methods One hundred fifty patients with asthma were surveyed in three rehabilitation clinics at admission and at discharge. Additionally, we surveyed 78 participants with asthma twice 4 weeks apart. The latter sample (i.e. the control group) was recruited through other pathways than rehabilitation clinics. The Patient Needs in Asthma Treatment (NEAT) questionnaire and the Asthma Control Test (ACT) were completed at baseline and follow-up. Differences between baseline and follow-up and between rehabilitation and control group were examined by t-tests and chi-squared-tests. Univariate ANCOVAS were used to examine if NEAT and ACT follow-up scores differed significantly between groups. Within the rehabilitation group, linear regressions were used to examine if self-reported utilization of more interventions that addressed needs were associated with NEAT scores at follow-up. Results At baseline, there were no differences between the rehabilitation and the control group regarding needs and asthma control. At follow-up, the rehabilitation group showed reduced needs (t(149) = 10.33, p <  0.01) and increased asthma control (t(130) = -6.67, p <  0.01), whereas members of the control group exhibited no changes. Univariate ANCOVAS showed that unmet follow-up needs (F(1, 212) = 36.46, p <  0.001) and follow-up asthma control (F(1, 195) = 6.97, p = 0.009) differed significantly between groups. In the rehabilitation group, self-reported utilization of more interventions was associated with reduced needs (β = 0.21; p = 0.03). Conclusions This study provides preliminary evidence suggestion that pulmonary rehabilitation in adults with asthma may reduce asthma-related needs and confirms previous findings that rehabilitation may improve asthma control.

scholarly journals Surgical and medical morbidity following failed non-traumatic partial foot amputation in diabetic patients

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0001
Author(s):  
Cole Cheney ◽  
John Femino
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Index Procedure ◽  
Limb Preservation ◽  
Initial Surgery ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Partial Foot Amputation

Category: Ankle, Diabetes, Lesser Toes, Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Maximal limb preservation is often the goal in choosing partial foot amputation (PFA) as a treat-ment for diabetic foot infections. Some of these patients will go on to experience multiple hospital admissions, IV antibiotic courses, surgical debridements, re-amputations and other medical compli-cations. This study describes the treatment course of these patients starting at second partial foot amputation and ending at 5 year follow-up. Methods: A retrospective cohort was built from a database of all amputation procedures performed on diabet-ic patients at the University of Iowa Department of Orthopedics from 2000 – 2015. The cohort was evaluated over time frame starting at second PFA (index procedure) and ending at 5 years after in-dex procedure. Of 264 patients who underwent partial foot amputation, 49 experienced two lower extremities PFA between January 2000 and December 2011 (cut-off used to allow minimum of 5 years post-PFA). Demographic data was recorded at index PFA and included surgical dates, laterali-ty, surgery type, diagnoses at time of initial surgery, and death date. A chart review collected in-formation on 5 year post-index PFA incidence of: non-surgical hospitalizations, antibiotic admin-istrations, total contact cast applications, and complications (such as osteomyelitis and acute renal failure). Results: Thirty-two (65%) of the second partial foot amputations (index) were ipsilateral and 17 were con-tralateral to first partial foot amputation (pre-index procedure). Eighteen (37%) of the partial foot amputation patients eventually experienced transtibial / transfemoral amputations in the 5 years fol-lowing index PFA. Eleven (22%) had at least a third partial foot amputation (and as many as 7) dur-ing study period. Sixteen (32%) patients had 17 transtibial / transfemoral amputations within 5 year time frame. 11 of the 17 (65%) TT / TF procedures were ipsilateral to index (second) PFA. Seven (17%) of the patients died. Conclusion: Maximal limb preservation may not be beneficial in all cases, particularly in the case of repeat PFAs. This cohort of repeat PFA patients demonstrated a complicated medical course with long pe-riods of hospitalization, leg immobilization in cast, and home-going antibiotics (requiring PICC). This study suggested that over a 5 year period following second PFA, patients on average experi-enced at least 31 days in TCC, 17 days hospitalized and underwent one additional amputation pro-cedure. These are likely underestimates due to follow-up or outside hospital cares. A large number of patients (18 or 37%) ultimately required higher-level amputation. There is a potential morbidity with PFA that may not be communicated to patients when making these decisions. In this cohort, the average days to second PFA was 360 days. 18 of 49 repeat PFA patients underwent tran-stibial or transfemoral amputation within 5 years of their initial PFA. The morbidity of the interim medical course over 5 years added to the poor quality of life after PFA.

scholarly journals Utility of telemedicine in COVID-19 pandemic: our experience at a tertiary cancer center in North East India

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 4027
Author(s):  
Ashok Kumar Das ◽  
Sumanjit S. Boro ◽  
Anupam Das ◽  
Partha Pratim Medhi ◽  
Kaberi Kakati ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Ongoing Treatment ◽  
North East ◽  
Phone Calls

Background: Telemedicine is a very useful tool of communication between the doctor and the patient. The aim of this study was to find out the utility of telemedicine during the lockdown period of COVID-19 pandemic in North East India.Methods: It is a cross sectional study among the cancer patients at our center on follow up or ongoing treatment and analysis of all the data acquired from telephonic conversation with our patients from 30th March, 2020 to 3rd May, 2020. Have contacted 4181 patients during this period over phone. All phone calls were done by respective department doctors.Results: From the demographic data, we get that 35.4% of patients were at good physical condition, 3.5% with poor general condition, 11.6% patients having ongoing treatment in our institute, 21.1% patients expired, 0.9% patients have nonmalignant diagnosis, 1.4% patients left the institute due to various reasons. Analyzed this data with brain storming sessions amongst the COVID-19 task force doctors and tried to find out solutions of each problem.Conclusions: Telemedicine cannot replace conventional method of in person treatment, but it proved to be a useful tool during the COVID-19 pandemic for patient follow up and treatment of cancer patients.

scholarly journals Clinical Overview of Cancer Patients in Province Two of Nepal: A Single Center Experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 78
Author(s):  
Anshu K Thakur ◽  
Anish Shah ◽  
Barun K Ray
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Single Center Experience ◽  
Common Cancer ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Common ◽  
Carcinoma Of Gallbladder ◽  
Clinical Overview

Introduction The incidence of cancer is rising in Nepal. It is estimated to reach 38.5 per 100,000 for males and 41.5 per 100,000 for females by 2020. The studies to determine the cancer burden in Nepal at provincial level have been insufficient and those that have been done are more inclined to Province 3. With establishment of a dedicated cancer facility in this area, we present an overview of clinical scenario of cancer patients in Province 2. MethodsWe performed a single centered, retrospective review of 118 patients who were registered in Oncology Clinics between May 2019 and February 2020. Demographics, diagnoses and the treatment strategies were obtained from the medical records. ResultsMedian age of presentation for cancer was 55 years (range, 6 to 83 years) with maximum number of patients falling within range of 50-60 years (31.4%). 71 patients (60.2%) were female and 47 patients (39.8%) were male. The common presenting cancers were gastrointestinal (27.1%), breast (16.9%), head and neck (15.3), gynecological (13.6%), hematological (11.9%) and others (15.2%). Among the gastrointestinal cancers, carcinoma of gallbladder with 15 cases (46.9%) was the most frequently occurring, followed by colorectal cancer with 6 cases (18.8%) and esophageal cancer with 4 cases (12.5%). Among all, 78 patients (66.1%) received palliative care only, 25 patients (21.2%) received chemotherapy only, 8 patients (6.8%) underwent surgery only, 3 patients (2.5%) underwent surgery and received chemotherapy as well, 2 patients (1.7%) received both chemotherapy and palliative care and 2 patients (1.7%) were reassured and observed. ConclusionThe most common age of presentation for cancer of any type was 50-60 years, with most common cancer being gastrointestinal in origin. Most of the patients received palliative care owing to their advanced stage at presentation.

scholarly journals Manajemen Fatigue melalui Kombinasi Aerobik dengan Relaksasi Yoga pada Penderita Kanker Payudara dalam Program Kemoterapi

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Muhammad Taukhid
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Relaxation Techniques ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
History Of

Background : Fatigue is feeling tired physically, psychologically, cognitively perceived cancer patients while undergoing therapies for the disease, including chemotherapy. The purpose of this study was to determine differences in the level of fatigue in cancer patients between before and after aerobic exercise combined with relaxation techniques of yoga. Methods :  This study used Quasi-experimental design with pretest-posttest control group in patients with breast cancer in the course of chemotherapy. The sampling methods used purposive sampling. The fatigue level was collected by subjective instruments Pipper Fatigue Scale (PFS), and then analyzed by the Independent and Dependent T test, and multivariate analysis used linear regression with a significance value of α 0.05. Results :  There were differences in the level of fatigue post-test between the intervention group and the control group with a difference of 1.25 (p = 0.013). History of previous exercise may explain the 17.8% level of fatigue that occurs in patients with breast cancer in the course of chemotherapy, the rest was explained by other variables. Conclusion : There were a decrease in the level fatigue statistically, however clinically the level of fatigue remain the same catagories.

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